Shloka 10
Kuntī–Karṇa Saṃvāda: Lineage Disclosure and Appeal to Fraternal Dharma
श्रुत्वा तु कुन्ती तद्घाक्यमर्थकामेन भाषितम् | सा निः:श्वसन्ती दुःखार्ता मनसा विममर्श ह
śrutvā tu kuntī tad vākyam arthakāmena bhāṣitam | sā niḥśvasantī duḥkhārtā manasā vimamarśa ha ||
विदुर के उन वचनों को—जो हित और धर्म दोनों को ध्यान में रखकर कहे गए थे—सुनकर कुन्ती दुःख से व्याकुल हो उठी। वह गहरी साँस लेकर मन-ही-मन विचार करने लगी।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical deliberation under distress: wise action in a crisis begins with attentive listening and inward reflection, especially when counsel is framed around practical welfare (artha) and intended aims (kāma) that must still be weighed against dharma.
After hearing a significant statement (contextually, counsel meant for the good of both sides), Kuntī is struck by grief. She sighs and turns inward, beginning a serious mental deliberation about the difficult situation and the choices ahead.